UAE's first domestic airline set to start

Eastern Express, a new domestic airline that promises daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah may not launch until midsummer. The country’s five existing main passenger airlines are Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai and RAK Airways.

Eastern Express was expected to start flying in January, but was delayed by the General Civil Aviation Authority's (GCAA) rejection on some safety concerns.

Ismail Al Baloushi, the executive director of aviation safety at the GCAA, said the authority was concerned solely with safety. While GCAA had no problem with a company leasing its aircraft, the key question was how it would maintain safety standards.

Originally known as Al Hajjar Air, Eastern Express is a joint venture between Al Hajjar Air and Abu Al Houl, as well as other UAE-based investors. The company is looking to buy a 29-seater turboprop Jetstream 41, made by British Aerospace.

  

Keeping in mind the small population of the emirate and the three-hour driving time between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, it would be big challenge for the airline to run in profit.

Initially, Eastern Express revealed that the 200 kilometer one-way trip from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah would cost Dh645 plus taxes but it's still not finalized. It will operate twice daily service, with business friendly morning and evening flight times and will provide full-in-flight services.

Eastern Express plans to partner with an existing airline in the GCC – so far unnamed – that will provide regional feeder traffic from the UAE east coast for international airlines operating at Abu Dhabi.

The airline plans to operate across both the UAE and to various other destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council, like Manama and Doha.

Its route will be the short 30-minute hop between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. The carrier will focus on corporate customers and tourism traffic to the underserved Fujairah International Airport.

The Fujairah airport authority is eager to increase its passenger traffic. Work is underway to develop a second terminal, a new taxiway and more cargo facilities which will be completed in 2025. The airport already boasts a 3750 m runway with independent ATC and radar services and landing aids, allowing for 24-hour operations.